My friend has a cabin up in the mountains of Overgaard, Arizona. As often as we can, we haul our boys up there for a few days—our beloved trail horses, Boogie, a Tennessee Walker, and my Poncho, a Missouri Fox Trotter. We’re fortunate that they are best buds and love being on the trail together.
Sun, Soggy Stalls, and Serenading Coyotes
As a morning person, I get up with the sunrise. At home in Tucson, the sun gently signals the day, and I sit and enjoy the dry, warm air, listening to Gila woodpeckers screech and irate hummingbirds click.
Up in the mountain cabin, the large windows make it easy for the sun to summon me. The horses, naturally, expect their morning meal in a timely manner. This particular morning, I was struck by how wet the world was! I didn’t hear it rain, but everything was soggy from what must have been a heavy dew. I’m glad I put a tarp over the feed bags. In all the years I’ve lived in Arizona, I don’t remember the world being this moist when I’ve gotten up, unless it was actively raining. Of course, as the sun rose, the world dried out rapidly—it is rather dry up here, after all.
Earlier in the summer, I’d serve breakfast at 5 a.m., but this fall morning I slept until 6 a.m.! The boys were eager when I headed out at 6:05. They don’t wait patiently, even though they know I wouldn’t deprive them. I go back and forth between the stalls, prying dense hay out of the bag while a pair of ravens laugh at me.
Once the horses’ needs are met, I take my own breakfast outside. This morning, a chorus of coyotes serenaded me as I brought my blueberry bagel out (more on this canine chorus in another blog!). Blue jays jumped up an alligator juniper tree, and a woodpecker rat-a-tatted above me—what a nice change from the usual screeching! Last time I was up here, a wild mare came for a visit, but I didn’t hear any horses this morning. I wonder if the frequent chanting of the coyotes was to blame.
The Mystery of the Manure Carpet
After my tummy is satisfied, I head back to the stalls to clean up the “horse-processed food.” My horse, Poncho, leaves nice tidy piles. Boogie, on the other hand, poops and then tramples it around for a manure carpet effect. Why, Boogie, why?
In addition, Boogie feels the need to carry some of his alfalfa over and put it in his water bucket. At least he then eats it, but it leaves all sorts of alfalfa fluff I have to clean up. Poncho, being a bright horse, noticed that soggy alfalfa was being brought close to him, so he utilizes Boogie’s water bucket, too. As Boogie dunks his portion, Poncho joins him in pulling apart the soggy masses. Good thing there is enough to share! Poncho gets limited amounts of alfalfa, so any he can acquire is especially tasty.
I come in and write for a while, then head back out for a second round of cleanup. Getting up every couple of hours to walk around and exercise is good for writing. Soon I’ll probably go out and brush Poncho, as he manages to cover himself in dirt every night.
With the cooler temperatures and our only bringing one trailer this time, I’ve moved my writing spot to the front of the house. I can write and watch my Poncho. My muse likes the change in environment and is very happy.
Well, time to go out and cuddle a horse.
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